[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8366]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE CHILDREN OF THE TRAGEDY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR SURVIVORS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 26, 2011

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor America's 
greatest resource--our children and in particular those of the Tragedy 
Assistance Program for Survivors, our Gold Star children, who are the 
loved ones of our fallen heroes. This Memorial Day and every day, I ask 
all Americans to keep a special place in their hearts for these 
wonderful and brave children. As with each coming year, we see in each 
child's face the image of their parents and we are continually reminded 
of their heroism and selflessness and that freedom certainly does not 
come without a price. May these children of those who have given the 
ultimate sacrifice in the defense of our great nation always know that 
while their loved ones are up guarding Heaven's gates, their spirit 
will continue to live on inside of each of them. I ask that the poem 
Albert Caswell penned in their honor, The Best Part of Them, be placed 
in the Congressional Record:

                         The Best Part of Them

     My child, I know you heard the news today. . . .
     I'm going so far away. . . .
     I'm so sorry I can't be here to stay. . . .
     But, heaven for me could not wait. . . .
     But, remember you carry, Me In You in your heart each day. . 
           . .
     My Little boys and little girls, it's for you I now so pray. 
           . . .
     Teenagers and new born's who have so lost your best friends 
           have they. . . .
     Your Daddy and Mommy, aren't coming home. . . . as it's up to 
           heaven they have flown. . . .
     And you will never see them again. . . .
     As you have all just lost your best friends!
     As up towards Heaven they have flown . . . to Heaven sent. . 
           . .
     As Angels in The Army of Our Lord, to defend. . . .
     And as you lay your precious heads down to sleep. . . .
     I pray to the Lord, the strength that he will give to you to 
           keep. . . .
     But remember this, so very deep. . . .
     Inside of you, Is The Best Part of Me, your Mothers and 
           Fathers hearts to so keep!
     For The Best Part of Them, Is Part of You. . . . as inside of 
           your fine hearts, they so beat. . . .
     And I know that you will never hear them say your name again. 
           . . .
     All in their most special ways, as you have but all but lost 
           your best friends. . . .
     I'm so sorry that in such pain you must now so live. . . .
     And I know it's so unfair, that little soldiers you became. . 
           . .
     My little girls and boys, as when all of the tears began. . . 
           .
     Oh children, I know how bad that you so wish to hear that 
           voice. . . .
     I know it's so unfair, and for you had no choice. . . .
     As you but wish for just that one last long hug. . . .
     All from your greatest Heroes, your greatest of all loves. . 
           . .
     Take heart now my child, for they are but with our Lord high 
           up above. . . .
     The ones who all so taught you the very meaning of love. . . 
           .
     Who in the middle of the night, when you were scared. . . . 
           would hold you tight!
     Yea, I know it makes you cry. . . . it makes me cry too. . . 
           ..
     Whenever, I think of them. . . . and I think of you. . . ..
     But, they died. . . . but, for The Greater Good. . . .
     All for what is right and what is true. . . .
     All for Freedom, they so gave That Last Full Measure all for 
           us and you!
     Moments, are all we have upon this earth. . . .
     Just seconds, to but show our Lord God all in our worth. . . 
           .
     And though they will not be here on Christmas or Hanukkah 
           mourns. . . .
     With all of their smiles and hugs, so very warm.
     And they will not be able to tuck you in at night. . . .
     And watch you all grow up to be their hearts delight!
     And walk you down that aisle, with smiles so very bright. . . 
           .
     But, remember this my child each morning as you awake. . . .
     I pray to you. . . . that this to all of your souls to so 
           take. . . .
     That the greatest day of their short lives, was but that one 
           when you arrived!
     And The Greatest Wish, all in their hearts. . . . that they 
           so prayed for and so cried. . . .
     Was that you would all so grow up to have but the greatest of 
           all lives. . . .
     So when you wake in the middle of the night, all in your 
           tears of fright. . . .
     Missing all of your loved ones, that which you now so wish to 
           hold onto tight. . . .
     Remember this, your Mothers. . . . your Fathers, are but 
           Angels now in flight. . . .
     And this morning when you awoke, could you but not feel their 
           arms around you so close. . . .
     As now they watch over you every moment, and hour. . . .
     Listen for them on the wind, for you will hear them now. . . 
           .
     And yes they will be with you as you walk down that aisle. . 
           . .
     And see you graduate, as up in Heaven they wear their smiles. 
           . . .
     Take heart, because part of them is now part of you!
     For The Best Part of Them, all in your fine hearts beats 
           inside of you. . . .
     So now you must find the same such courage, as once they had 
           so too!
     To march on, as we watch you all grow up. . . . as we see 
           your parents faces all in you. . . .
     So, ever remember this my child. . . .
     The Best Part of Them, is now part of you. . . .
     As their fine hearts so beat so all inside of you so true!
     So now you know what you must do!
     Lift up your heads, and make all of their wishes so come 
           true!
     Find The Strength, all with what their fine hearts so meant 
           that which beat so all inside of you!
     And one day up in Heaven, you'll will once again all be 
           together so too!
     Because, The Best Part of Them. . . . Is what is inside of 
           You!
     Amen. . . .

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